Nekic entered Penn State University from Allentown in 2017, majoring in Musical Performance with a focus on Opera, but the demanding nature of the program limited her ability to pursue other interests, so she I knew it was time for a change.

“At the time, I was also learning about the music industry and the business side of things, so I changed my major to focus more on working behind the scenes on the technical side and the fan side,” says Nekich. .

The shift was natural for Nekich, who worked freelance in high school as a social media manager for various bands and artists, including Ace and Hayley Kiyoko. Her experience in entertainment her marketing continued at Penn State University, but in 2019 she said she needed to strengthen her set of skills to succeed in her music industry. I noticed that.

“That’s when I got an internship opportunity at the College of Art and Architecture,” says Nekich. “It has allowed me to stay on campus and stay connected to my roots in music. I was able to see the

This internship also provided her with an opportunity to literally see art through a different lens by exploring her love of photography. She honed her skills as an art photographer by participating in music and theater, and in May photographed her New York concert by Phoebe Her Bridgers and retweeted her work.

“I was overwhelmed,” Nekichi said. “The shoot took place in a stadium. Thanks to my training, I was able to work in that environment. It didn’t seem too big for me.”

During her internship, the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person events. To keep creative outlets alive, Nekich and her peers developed a podcast at her first-semester drama school that focuses on how art students are navigating the pandemic.

“It was the perfect match. An internship was what I was looking for all along,” says Nekich. “I use the skills I learned almost every day and it was a career-changing experience.”

In 2019, Nekich also participated in SPA. This is a student-run club that brings entertainment big and small to the university and collaborates with the Movin’ On Festival held each spring. There Nekić said she found “her people.”

“I found a way to learn about the industry hands-on as well as having a good friend,” says Nekich. “Using social media, taking pictures, choosing artists to work with on show days, and creating a stage is an amazing thing that many people in the music industry have never experienced in college. was. “

Armed with knowledge, skill set and determination, Nekić flew to London, England to work with singer Baby Queen after graduating in 2021, but was forced to move to London after the artist did not offer him a full-time job. came back. Allentown to reorganize.

“I found a job, moved to New York, and thought, ‘I’m going to do whatever I can to make it happen,'” Nekic said.

Through networking on the Women in Industry Facebook group, Nekich was contacted by Aimee Berger, a Penn State University alumnus and founder of Aimsley Management, a full-service talent management firm. The two formed a connection and Nekichi was hired as the company’s creative manager.

Nekich also applied to the Primary Wave and, through Berger, connected with Rob Dippold, Chief Digital Strategy Officer and Penn State University alumnus. Nekich got the job and immediately rushed over.

“Without my internship experience and time at SPA, this would not have been possible,” said Nekich. “There are so many opportunities at Penn State, and you have to go find them. You’ll know it’s what you want to do.”